Traveling

4 Pages 957 Words

Title: The Road Not Taken - an analysis


"Do not follow where the path may lead... Go instead where there is no
path and leave a trail."

-Robert Frost

Everyone is a traveler, choosing the roads to follow on the map
of their continuous journey, life. There is never a straight path that
leaves one with but a sole direction in which to head. Regardless of the
original message that Robert Frost had intended to convey, his poem,
"The Road Not Taken", has left its readers with many different
interpretations. It is one’s past, present and the attitude with which
he looks upon his future that determines the shade of the light that he
will see the poem in. In any case however, this poem clearly
demonstrates Frost’s belief that it is the road that one chooses that
makes him the man who he is.
"And sorry I could not travel both..." It is always difficult to
make a decision because it is impossible not to wonder about the
opportunity cost, what will be missed out on. There is a strong sense of
regret before the choice is even made and it lies in the knowledge that
in one lifetime, it is impossible to travel down every path. In an
attempt to make a decision, the traveler "looks down one as far as I
could". The road that will be chosen leads to the unknown, as does any
choice in life. As much he may strain his eyes to see as far the road
stretches, eventually it surpasses his vision and he can never see where
it is going to lead. It is the way that he chooses here that sets him
off on his journey and decides where he is going.
"Then took the other, just as fair, and having perhaps the
better claim." What made it have the better claim is that "it was grassy
and wanted wear." It was something that was obviously not for everyone
because it seemed that the majority of people took the other path
therefore he calls it "the road less travelled by". The ...